Pickett Trail
deferredSummary
The Pickett Trail is a proposed off-road trail segment in the City of Fairfax that would close a missing link between the Cross County Trail and the Connector Trail running north to a metro station, passing through an area where only a narrow sidewalk on Pickett Road currently exists. The project was originally identified by the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (PRAB) as both a safety concern and a connectivity opportunity. It is funded through the competitive SmartScale program and has required ongoing coordination with Fairfax County Water Authority (Fairfax Water), which has a planned water main installation on the same corridor—estimated approximately 10 years out in Fairfax Water's CIP. On April 22, 2025, Council voted 4-2 to pause all actions on the Pickett Trail in order to examine alternatives, with Members Amos and Hardy-Chandler opposed to the pause. A community meeting was requested by residents (representing approximately 1,200 people, or ~5% of the city population) near the Pickett Road/Route 50 intersection who reported limited awareness of the project. On November 18, 2025, Council unanimously enacted a separate Deed of Easement with Fairfax Water for water main installation on nearby parcels; staff confirmed this easement does not conflict with the city's pedestrian bridge or proposed conservation easement associated with the Pickett Trail. As of February 17, 2026, a broader roadway study of the Pickett corridor was underway, which would also consider pedestrian safety and the trail's presence.
Open questions & options on the table
- A community/public meeting for residents near the Pickett Road/Route 50 intersection was requested (July 22, 2025) but no meeting date or outcome is recorded in the material.
- The examination of alternatives that prompted the April 2025 pause has not been resolved — no alternative has been selected or approved.
- The SmartScale rescoring process (triggered by scope/cost changes) was underway as of July 2025; its outcome is not recorded.
- The February 2026 Pickett corridor roadway study (which includes pedestrian safety analysis) was in progress; its findings and any resulting Council action are not yet recorded.
- No timeline has been established for lifting the pause or resuming action on the trail.
Recent updates
[8b] The Deed of Easement discussion arose in connection with the City's request for a separate easement associated with the Pickett Trail project; staff confirmed no conflict with the City's pedestrian bridge or proposed conservation easement.
[1e] The Pickett Trail was discussed during the work session, leading to Council action under item 4a. [4a] Council approved 4-2 (Amos and Hardy-Chandler opposed) to pause all actions with respect to the Pickett Trail in order to examine alternatives.
What members have said
Voted against the April 22, 2025 pause on the Pickett Trail. At the July 8, 2025 work session, Hardy-Chandler asked staff about the sequencing of the trail construction relative to Fairfax Water's water main project, learning that the water project is approximately 10 years out but is included in Fairfax Water's CIP.
Voted against the April 22, 2025 motion to pause all actions on the Pickett Trail.
Positions as recorded in meeting minutes; votes without recorded comment aren’t summarized.
Full history
[1e] The Pickett Trail was discussed during the work session, leading to Council action under item 4a. [4a] Council approved 4-2 (Amos and Hardy-Chandler opposed) to pause all actions with respect to the Pickett Trail in order to examine alternatives.
- Nov 18, 2025City Council · item 8b
[8b] The Deed of Easement discussion arose in connection with the City's request for a separate easement associated with the Pickett Trail project; staff confirmed no conflict with the City's pedestrian bridge or proposed conservation easement.